Spurs defence keen to tame Tigers

26 October 2013 12:31

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Tottenham Hotspur will look to maintain their impressive defensive record when they face Hull City in the Premier League at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

The north London side, currently fifth in the table, just missed out on a Champions League place last season and are desperate for a top four finish that would secure a place in the next edition of European club football's elite tournament.

Best known for their attacking play, Spurs have kept 11 clean sheets in 14 games so far this season.

"We defend as a team and it's great to have clean sheets for the confidence of the defenders and the goalkeeper," said Spurs centre-back Jan Vertonghen.

"The midfield and strikers give us a lot of pressing and we do well as a team," the Belgium international added.

"Most of the defenders are the same as last season, we've adapted to each other and everyone does his job and that's important in the Premier League."

Sunday's match will see former Spurs midfielder Tom Huddlestone returning to White Hart Lane following his pre-season move to Hull.

Tom is a fantastic player as we all know," said Tottenham midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson, who played alongside Huddlestone at Spurs.

"I saw at first-hand last season just how good he can be, his passing and vision is unbelievable and if we allow him too much time, he will find his targets and cause us damage.

"He and Jake Livermore have done really well for Hull, they've come in to their midfield and been almost ever-present and I'm sure their performances are one of the reasons why they have made a decent start to the campaign."

Newly-promoted Hull are ninth in the table, five points adrift of Spurs.

They will arrive in north London without first-choice goalkeeper Allan McGregor after the Scotland international suffered a thigh injury.

As a result, former Newcastle keeper Steve Harper is set to make his first league start for the Tigers.

Hull manager Steve Bruce was confident the 38-year-old veteran would not be overawed by the occasion.

"This is the reason we brought Steve in. He's got an abundance of Premier League experience and we're lucky that we can call upon somebody like him," Bruce said.

Harper, a pre-season arrival, added: "If the chance comes my way, I'll look forward to getting some games in. My last Premier League game was for Newcastle in May, so it will be great to be back involved.

"That was part of my reason for coming here, to stay involved in the Premier League and maximise my chances of getting an opportunity in this league. Hopefully that will come along on Sunday.

"Injuries do come along at some stage and that gives opportunities to other people."

McGregor, 31, is likely to be out for six weeks.

His fine form since arriving from Besiktas before the start of the current campaign has played a big part in Hull's impressive run of results.

Bruce said: "Allan will be a big miss for us because he has played very well and we wish him a speedy recovery."